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Garris wrote in the caption of her video that she also requests a seatbelt extender upon entering the aircraft before sitting in a window seat and placing the second ticket on the seat next to hers.

\"If anyone tries to sit it in I kindly let them know I have two seats booked,\" she wrote. \"To be honest, I almost never get approached because no one wants to sit in the middle seat next to a fat person on a plane.\"

Garris shared additional details, as outlined on the Southwest website, that further explained stipulations such as this: \"You HAVE to use it at the departing gate when you start your journey. If you don't use it going out you cant use it flying back.\"

Backlash over Southwest Airlines' customer of size policy

While many, including Garris, applauded Southwest for having a \"fair and humane way of flying fat passengers with dignity,\" others have complained, claiming the policy glamorizes obesity.

Other critics sounded off on social media upon the influx of Southwest headlines, as the airline does not appear to have a formal policy to allow additional space accommodations for taller customers, or those who need extra space for medical equipment, at no-cost.

\"PHOTO:
Smith Collection/Getty Images, FILE
PHOTO: Wide angle, interior of cabin of Southwest Airlines jet aircraft during boarding procedures, Oakland, Jan. 5, 2020.
>

\"I'm 6'7\". Genuinely curious if this would apply to me,\" one person posted on X, formerly Twitter, \"As in, would the gate agent provide me a complimentary upgrade to a seat with more leg room?\"

When asked for additional comment on the recent social media backlash, a Southwest Airlines rep wrote in a follow-up emailed statement: \"This policy serves the Customers who need extra space very well, and it's important to point out that this policy is applicable to a very small percentage of our overall Customer base. We have not seen any evidence that the policy inconveniences other Customers.\"

As for Garris, the content creator addressed the backlash in a separate TikTok video this week, saying, \"So many people are upset. It's their policy. It's their airline. They can choose what they want to do.\"

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